Performance by volunteers at the NYS Veterans’ Home is exceptional. Individual volunteers contribute to many areas of residents’ lives. Some of our volunteers help during mealtime on various units, transporting to and from cottages to the main dining room, offering personal attention during this important function. Some volunteers do mending for residents, assist the therapy department, the eye doctor, and the beautician and barber by transporting residents to and from appointments and giving special attention when reassurance is needed. They also do many room visits, reading menus, writing letters and even assisting with e-mails on a one on one basis. Volunteers assist with our church services and conduct the prayer of the rosary in our meditation room and communion distribution room to room. Some individual volunteers operate the gift shop as often as possible as well as assist the activities department with programming and transporting to events such as bingos and concerts.

We are also graced with a number of organizations that assist our residents in many different ways. The Volunteer Guild, American Legion and Auxiliaries, the DAV, VFW, and several ELKS Clubs contribute to the residents’ quality of life by creative fundraising, with the ever-popular bingo games, holiday parties, and sponsorship of entertainment and clothing banks. Several of these organizations have adopted certain cottages and provide special events not only during holidays but also throughout the year. The Chenango Community Workshop participants visit our facility weekly and assist with transporting from the main dining room. The Norwich High School Basic Educational Needs class assists with transporting to and from morning programs such as sing a longs and birthday parties, keep birdfeeders filled and help in our library throughout their school year.

For more information regarding volunteer opportuniries at the New York State Veterans' Home, please contact Allan Hopson, Director of the Activities Department, at (607) 843-3126.

Total recorded hours contributed by volunteers: 5,364
Affect of volunteer contribution on residents: Priceless